Birmingham’s Jay Stansfield stretchered off against Bantams

Birmingham’s Jay Stansfield stretchered off against Bantams

The home side were incensed that Oldham did not blow for Romoney Crichlow’s challenge on Stansfield – allowing play to go on instead as City went straight up the other end for Bobby Pointon to score.

Stansfield was on the floor receiving treatment for seven minutes. He was given oxygen while he was taken off the pitch by stretcher before being rushed to hospital.

Alexander responded, “No chance,” when asked about the penalty shout. I mistook it for physical contact.

“Stansfield went down when Rom put his body in the way of him and the ball.

“I felt the referee was great, to be fair. All night long, he was under tremendous pressure to make decisions that weren’t actually there.

“I didn’t think it was a penalty, so I didn’t think he was going to give it for a single second.”

Before Alex Pattison’s rushing run supplied Antoni Sarcevic on the right, Richie Smallwood and Jamie Walker spearheaded the City counter as Birmingham raged. Pointon finished his low cross with a risky run into the six-yard box.

“I thought Bobby was a bit inhibited first half,” admitted Alexander. “I told him at half-time, ‘you’re a better player than you’re showing, get the ball down and protect it’ because he’s one of the best at that. “Then, I thought Bobby and Tyreik (Wright) combined really well down that left-hand side. “He gets into those positions really well. He’s got a real knack for understanding the runs he has to make and he fully commits and doesn’t hold back. “It was a brilliant breakaway and the cross from Sarce was superb. It was a beautiful ball in but you’ve got to have players with the intent to get across people right in where it hurts.”